An underrated aspect of UMass football's poor season in 2011 was its unreliable kicking game.

Kickers Brandon Levengood and Brandon Yelovich combined to attempt just 14 kicks on the season, and converted on only eight of them. Levengood was more effective than Yelovich as he made 5-of-7 kicks, compared to Yelovich who made 3-of-7.

The poor kicking game forced the Minutemen to go for it on fourth down more than they usually would if they had a reliable kicker.

Levengood both return this season and will compete for the starting spot. However, through a few weeks of spring practice, UMass football head coach Charley Molnar has been unimpressed by the lack of progress made by his group.

“Our extra point and field goal games need some work,” said Molnar. “We need to improve, or we need to get somebody else, that’s really the bottom line there.”

Improving the kicking game is a small, but important, part of UMass’ revamping project. And as the team's schedule gets tougher and tougher once entering the FBS, the Minutemen will need every point they can get.